𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐄

Chapter 15

Maven is sitting in Kaida's chair in her study.

He has his arms crossed behind his head and his long legs are kicked up on her desk.

The Queen was back in the Palace but no one had seen her since her arrival yesterday night.

Adrien had broadcast his message to the entire Kingdom, and even if he didn't hack through to every screen, he was on the front page of every newspaper.

Word of what happened at Ashgate was the new topic of conversation, hot on everyone's lips.

Maven spins in the chair.

He had never seen much of Adrien back when he was Prince and then King, but he knew he was a fantastic warrior who fought against the Lakelanders.

He had connections and was very well respected in the Silver community.

But Maven did not appreciate a usurper trying to end the Calore line.

It was blasphemy.

Norta was built off the back of Caesar Calore, the crown passed on through his blood. Therefore, a Calore always had to sit the throne.

Not a Samos, not a Merandus and certainly not a Skonos.

Maven is snapped out of his reverie when he hears the door click.

"Maven, what are you still-"

Kaida's voice is so faint that Maven doesn't hear it and cuts her off when he spins in the chair to face her.

"You should have known there would be a Silver rebellion, especially against a Red Queen, no matter how-"

Thud.

Maven stops speaking.

Kaida fell out of view, her body hitting the floor gracelessly.

He stands, peeking over the edge of the desk.

"Kaida?"

She was sprawled out unconscious and her bandages were peeking out from her abdomen.

Maven circles around the desk to her body.

"Guard!"

There was no answer.

He paces to the door and peeks outside. There was no one there.

He sighs and makes his way back to Kaida, then ever so carefully, he lifts her arm and picks her up, slinging her over his shoulder.

He keeps the flat of his palm secured against the soft spot behind her knees.

She was really out cold.

Maven uses his other hand to open the door.

Where were her handmaidens?

In fact, where was anybody?

He wonders.

And he also wonders where to take her, her room or the infirmary?

He begins making his way to the Royal Quarters when he spots a maester hurrying along in his linen robes.

"Oh, there she is!"

The maester huffs, then he notices who is holding Kaida and he is instantly wary.

His glare is accusatory and Maven almost rolls his eyes.

But he knew what it looked like. The maester was not wrong in assuming the worst.

"She passed out in her study."